User interface for controlling intensity and color of a lighting load

ABSTRACT

A load control device may be configured to provide a user interface for controlling the intensity and/or color of one or more lighting loads. The user interface may include separate actuation members for setting the intensity and/or color of the lighting loads. The user interface may include one actuation member configured to operate in an intensity and/or color control mode. The control mode of the actuation member may be set via a button, a lever, a rotary switch, a rotary knob, etc. The user interface may include a touch sensitive element capable of sensing a user&#39;s touch and translate the touch into a control signal. Feedback may be provided on the user interface to indicate the type of control being adjusted and/or amount of control being applied to the lighting loads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.:17/082,395, filed Oct. 28, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No.: 16/821,896, filed Mar. 17, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,827,581); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No.: 15/832,532, filed Dec. 5, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,645,777);which claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.62/430,189, filed Dec. 5, 2016, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The intensity and/or color of a lighting fixture may be manipulated fora variety of purposes such as presentation, comfort, and well-being.Typical color control techniques may include dim-to-warm, correlatedcolor temperature (CCT), and full color tuning. The dim-to-warm controltechnique allows for adjusting the color temperature of a light sourcein proportion to the intensity so as to mimic the color shift ofincandescent lamps with respect to intensity (e.g., warmer colortemperature at lower light levels, cooler color temperature at higherlight levels). The correlated color temperature control technique allowsfor controlling the color temperature and intensity of a light sourceindependently within specified parameters. The full color tuning controltechnique allows for changing the emitted color spectrum of a lightsource by mixing several base colors (e.g., red, green, blue) indifferent proportions.

Different types of intensity control/color tuning techniques may requiredifferent types of user interfaces. The dim-to-warm control technique,for example, generally requires one control input. The input may betranslated (e.g., by an LED driver) into an appropriate intensity and/orcolor control signal for driving the lighting fixture. The correlatedcolor temperature control technique and/or the full color tuning controltechnique may require one control input for color temperature and aseparate control input for light intensity. A user interface may alsoneed to be capable of activating and/or deactivating preconfiguredenvironmental settings (e.g., a lighting scene created by tuning one ormore lighting fixtures to particular color and/or intensity values).Further, a user may desire to not only apply the aforementioned types ofcontrol, but also receive feedback about the type, amount and/or resultof the control being applied.

SUMMARY

As described herein, a load control device may be provided that includesa user interface for controlling the intensity and color of one or morelighting loads. The load control device may be a wall-mounted electricaldevice having a limited area for presenting the user interface to a user(e.g., through an opening of a faceplate). The user interface may bedesigned with a focus on the ease of use of the controls. The userinterface may present one or more actuators for controlling theintensity and color of the lighting loads in a manner that is compact,but easy to understand. Functions that are in greater demand may be mademore prominent on the user interface and/or easier to actuate by theuser. For example, priority in terms of size, placement, durability,and/or smartness of an actuation mechanism may be given to switchactions (e.g., on/off), followed by intensity control and color turning.In some examples, the actuators for controlling intensity may beemphasized over the actuators for controlling color.

In one example, the user interface may include separate actuationmembers for adjusting the intensity or color of the lighting loads. Theuser interface may comprise a first elongated actuator configured toreceive a first user input for controlling the intensity of the lightingload, and a second elongated actuator configured to receive a seconduser input for controlling the color of the lighting load. The firstelongated actuator may be provided on a bezel of the control device, andmay be vertically arranged along the bezel. The second elongatedactuator may also be provided on the bezel and horizontally arrangedalong the bezel. The user interface may further comprise a rectangulartoggle actuator, where the vertically-arranged actuator is located alonga side of toggle actuator, and the horizontally-arranged actuator islocated along a bottom of the toggle actuator. The vertically-arrangedactuator may have a length that is shorter than a length of the toggleactuator, and the horizontally-arranged actuator may have a length thatis shorter than a width of the toggle actuator and shorter than thelength of vertically-arranged actuator. Such a design focus may resultin, for example, a user interface comprising a “big switch” for togglingthe lighting load on and off, a “little dimmer” for adjusting theintensity of the lighting load, and a “tiny color control” for adjustingthe color of the lighting load.

In another example, the vertically-arranged and horizontally-arrangedactuators may each comprise a slider knob provided in a slider slot. Forexample, the slider slot of the horizontally-arranged actuator may belocated below the slider slot of the vertically-arranged actuator, orthe slider slot of the horizontally-arranged actuator may be located onthe slider knob of the vertically-arranged actuator.

In another example, the user interface may include a common actuator foradjusting both intensity and color of the lighting load. The userinterface may be configured to operate in either an intensity or a colorcontrol mode. The control mode of the common actuator may be set beforethe actuator is used to set the intensity or color of the lightingloads. The control mode of the actuator may be set via a button, alever, a rotary switch, a rotary knob, and/or the like.

The user interface may include a touch sensitive element (e.g., a touchsensitive actuator or a capacitive touch panel) capable of sensing auser's touch and translate the touch into a signal for driving thelighting loads. Feedback may be provided on the user interface toindicate the type of control being adjusted and/or amount of controlbeing applied to the lighting loads. The feedback may be provided viaone or more indicator lights or a light bar, for example. The userinterface may be further configured to activate preconfigured settingsof the light loads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows block diagram of an example load control system thatincludes a load control device for controlling the intensity and/orcolor of a lighting load.

FIG. 1B shows a simplified block diagram of an example control devicethat may be deployed in the load control device depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of an example user interface comprising aplurality of actuators for adjusting the intensity and color of alighting load, and a visual display for indicating the intensity and/orcolor the lighting load.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an example user interface comprising twotouch-sensitive actuators for controlling the intensity and color of alighting load.

FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a right side view of an exampleuser interface comprising an intensity adjustment actuator and a coloradjustment actuator located below the intensity adjustment actuator.

FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG. 5B is a right side view of an exampleuser interface comprising an intensity adjustment actuator and a coloradjustment actuator provided on the intensity adjustment actuator.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view and FIG. 6B is a front view of an exampleuser interface comprising a rotating slider knob for adjusting theintensity and color of a lighting load.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views of another example user interfacecomprising a rotating slider knob for adjusting the intensity and colorof a lighting load.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front views of another example user interfacecomprising a slider knob and two actuators located on the slider knobfor adjusting the intensity and color of a lighting load.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of an example user interface comprising twosets of controls for adjusting the intensity and color of a lightingload.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an example user interface comprisingan actuator and a control mode selector.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of an example user interface that utilizes atoggle button to set the control mode of an actuator for controlling theintensity and color of a lighting load

FIG. 12 shows a front view of an example user interface that utilizes aslider to set the control mode of an actuator for controlling theintensity and color of a lighting load.

FIGS. 13-16B are flowcharts of example control procedures that may beexecuted by a control circuit of a control device to control a lightingload in response to inputs received via a user interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A depicts an example load control system 100. As shown, the loadcontrol system 100 may be configured as a lighting control systemcomprising a lighting load, such as a controllable light source 110, anda load control device 120. The load control device 120 may be adapted tobe wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox. The load controldevice 120 may be coupled (e.g., via a series electrical connection)between an alternating-current (AC) power source 102 and thecontrollable light source 110. The controllable light source 110 mayinclude an internal lighting load (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)light engine) and an internal load regulation circuit (e.g., an LEDdriver). In addition, the load control device 120 may not bewall-mounted, but may be a plug-in load control device configured to becoupled between an electrical receptacle and a plug-in electrical load.

The load control device 120 may include a user interface 122 that maycomprise one or more actuators for controlling an intensity and a color(e.g., a color temperature) of the controllable light source 110. Forexample, the user interface 122 may comprise a toggle actuator 124configured to be actuated for toggling, e.g., turning off and on, thecontrollable light source 110, and an intensity adjustment actuator 126configured to be actuated for changing a lighting intensity of thecontrollable light source 110, and/or a color adjustment actuator 128configured to be actuated for changing a color of the controllable lightsource 110. In one example, the toggle actuator 124 may be larger thanthe intensity adjustment actuator 126, which may be larger than thecolor adjustment actuator 128 in order to emphasize adjustment of theintensity of the controllable light source 110 over adjustment of thecolor of the light source. In another embodiment, a common actuator mayfunction as the intensity adjustment actuator 126 and the coloradjustment actuator 128. The load control device 120 may adjust theintensity of the controllable light source 110 in response to the commonactuator when operating in an intensity adjustment mode, and may adjustthe color of the controllable light source 110 in response to the commonactuator when operating in a color adjustment mode.

The user interface 122 of the load control device 120 may also comprisea visual display (not shown) that may be illuminated, e.g., by aplurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The visual display may bearranged as an array of indicator lights or as a light bar, to providefeedback about the operational state of the light source 110 (e.g., toindicate intensity or color of the light source). An example of a loadcontrol device including a visual display is described in greater detailin U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 28, 1993, entitled LIGHTINGCONTROL DEVICE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

The load control device 120 may be configured to generate one or morecontrol signals that may be received by the controllable light source110 for turning the controllable light source on and off, and/or for theadjusting the intensity and/or color of the controllable light source.For example, the load control device 120 may be configured to transmitwireless signals, for example radio frequency (RF) signals 108, to thecontrollable light source 110. The wireless signals may be used tocontrol the intensity and/or color of the controllable light source 110.The controllable light source 110 may be associated with the loadcontrol device 120 (e.g., during a configuration procedure of the loadcontrol system 100) such that the controllable light source 110 may beresponsive to the RF signals 108 transmitted by the load control device120. An example of a configuration procedure for associating a loadcontrol device with an electrical load is described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0111491, publishedMay 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-Frequency Lighting Control System,” theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Inanother example, the load control device 120 may be implemented as afree-standing remote control device (e.g., such as a table-top loadcontrol device or a hand-held load control device) or a mountableremoted control device (e.g., such as a remote control device capable ofbeing mounted on an existing switch).

It should be appreciated that while a wireless communication scheme isshown as being used in FIG. 1A, the load control device 120 maycommunicate with the light source 110 using either or both of wired andwireless communication techniques. For example, the load control device120 may be coupled to the controllable light source 110 via one or moreanalog control links (e.g., two 0-10V control links) for controlling theintensity and/or color of the controllable light source. In addition,the load control device 120 may be configured to generate aphase-control signal for controlling the intensity of the controllablelight source 110 and may transmit wireless signals for controlling thecolor of the controllable light source. While the controllable lightsource 110 is shown in FIG. 1 as a screw-in lamp, the controllable lightsource may also be implemented as a lighting fixture that includes oneor more LED light engines and one or more LED drivers.

FIG. 1B is a simplified block diagram of an example control device 130for a load control device (e.g., the load control device 120 shown inFIG. 1A). The control device 130 may include a hot terminal H that maybe adapted to be coupled to an AC power source 132. The control device130 may further include an output terminal T that may be adapted to becoupled to an electrical load, such as a lighting load 133 (e.g., thecontrollable light source 110 shown in FIG. 1). The control device 130may include a controllably conductive device 134 coupled in serieselectrical connection between the AC power source 132 and the lightingload 133. The control device 130 may include a control circuit 135configured to control the controllably conductive device 134 to renderthe controllably conductive device 134 conductive or non-conductive tocontrol the power delivered to the lighting load 133.

An air-gap switch 139 may be coupled in series with the controllablyconductive device 134. The air-gap switch 139 may be opened and closedin response to actuations of an air-gap actuator. When the air-gapswitch 139 is closed, the controllably conductive device 134 is operableto conduct current to the load. When the air-gap switch 139 is open, thelighting load 133 is disconnected from the AC power source 132. Thecontrollably conductive device 134 may operate as a relay to turn thelighting load on and off, e.g., when the control device 130 is notconfigured to perform phase control over the lighting load 133. Thecontrollable conductive device 134 may be omitted from the controldevice 130, in which case the load control device may be implemented asa free-standing remote control device (e.g., powered by AC or DCvoltage), as described herein.

The control device 130 may comprise a user interface including one ormore actuators 136 and one or more visual indicators, which may beilluminated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 137. The control circuit 135may receive inputs from the actuators 136 and translate the inputs intocontrol signals (e.g., intensity and/or color control signals) fortransmission to the lighting load 133. The control circuit 135 maycontrol the LEDs 137 to illuminate the visual indicators to providefeedback to the user about the operational status of the lighting load133 (e.g., the intensity and/or color of the light sources).

The control device 130 may include a communication circuit 140 coupledto the control circuit 135 for transmitting and/or receiving digitalmessages between the control device 130 and the lighting load 133. Thecommunication circuit 140 may be configured to transmit the controlsignals generated by the control circuit 135 (e.g., intensity and/orcolor control signals) to the lighting load 133 using a wirelesscommunication scheme (e.g., via radio frequency signals). Alternativelyor in addition to the wireless communication scheme, the communicationcircuit may be configured to transmit the control signals using wiredcommunication techniques. For example, the control circuit 135 mayutilize multi-wire digital communication links such as digitaladdressable lighting interface (DALI), Ecosystem links, or otherproprietary communication links for transmitting the control signals tothe lighting load 133. As another example, the control circuit 135 mayutilize the power line to transmit the control signals. Techniques forproviding communication via existing power wiring are described ingreater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,392,675, issued Jul.12, 2016, entitled “Digital Load Control System Providing Power andCommunication via Existing Power Wiring,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,068,814,issued Nov. 29, 2011, entitled “System for Control of Lights andMotors,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit 135 may be configuredto transmit the control signals via one or more wired analog controllinks (e.g., phase-control signals or 0-10V control signals). Forexample, the control circuit 135 may generate two phase-control signalsor two 0-10V control signals to respectively control the intensity andcolor of the lighting load 133. As another example, the control circuit135 may utilize phase-control to control the intensity of the lightingload 133, and RF communication to control the color of the lighting load133.

The control device 130 may include a memory 138 coupled to the controlcircuit 135. The memory 138 may be used to store the operationalparameters of the control device 130 and/or the lighting load 133 (e.g.,such as the intensity/color of the lighting load 133 before it is turnedoff, preconfigured lighting scenes and their associated intensity/color,etc.). The memory 138 may be implemented as an external integratedcircuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 135. Theload control device 130 may include a power supply 141. The power supply141 may generate a direct-current (DC) supply voltage V_(CC) forpowering the control circuit 135 and the other low-voltage circuitry ofthe control device 130. The power supply 141 may be coupled in parallelwith the controllably conductive device 134. The power supply 141 may beoperable to conduct a charging current through the lighting load 133 togenerate the DC supply voltage V_(CC).

Although a single lamp is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lighting load133 may include one or more light sources (e.g., LED light sources), andone or more LED drivers or control devices. The lighting load 133 mayinclude an enclosure configured to house one or more electricalcomponents of the lighting load (e.g., such as one or more loadregulation circuits). The one or more electrical components may beoperable to control the intensity of the lighting load 133 between alow-end intensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity(e.g., approximately 100%). The one or more electrical components may beoperable to control the color of the light emitted by the lighting load133. For example, when the lighting load 133 comprises one or more LEDlight sources, the one or more electrical components may be operable tocontrol the colors of the LED light sources in a color temperaturecontrol mode or a full-color control mode. The lighting load 133 mayinclude a communication circuit (e.g., a wireless communication circuit)configured to receive the control signals transmitted from the controldevice 130, and to control the intensity and/or color of the lightingload in response to receiving the control signals.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of an example user interface 200 that may beprovided on a load control device described herein (e.g., the loadcontrol device 120). The user interface 200 may include a rectangulartoggle actuator 210, an elongated vertically-arranged actuator, such asan intensity adjustment actuator 212, and/or an elongatedhorizontally-arranged actuator, such as a color adjustment actuator 214.The toggle actuator 210, the intensity adjustment actuator 212, and thecolor adjustment actuator 214 may be provided on a bezel 202. The bezel202 may extend through an opening 206 in a faceplate 204 that covers thewallbox in which one or more components of the load control device maybe mounted. The intensity adjustment actuator 212 may extend verticallyalong a vertical axis of the bezel 202 and/or the faceplate 204 when theload control device is installed. The color adjustment actuator 214 mayextend horizontally along a horizontal axis of the bezel 202 and/or thefaceplate 204 when the load control device is installed. Actuation ofthe toggle actuator 210 may toggle, e.g., turn off and on, a lightsource (e.g., the light source 110) connected to the load controldevice. Actuations of the intensity adjustment actuator 212 and coloradjustment actuator 214 may respectively adjust the light intensity orcolor (e.g., color temperature) of the light source. For example, theintensity adjustment actuator 212 may be used to adjust an intensitylevel, for example, between a minimum intensity level (e.g.,approximately 1%) and a maximum intensity level (e.g., approximately100%) for the light source. The color adjustment actuator 214 may beused to adjust a color (e.g., a color temperature) of the light source,for example, between a first color temperature (e.g., a warm-white colortemperature, such as 2000 Kelvin) and a second color temperature (e.g.,a cool-white color temperature, such as 10,000 Kelvin). Actuations of anupper portion and a lower portion of the intensity adjustment actuator212 may raise and lower the light intensity of the light source,respectively. Actuations of a right portion and a left portion of thecolor adjustment actuator 214 may adjust the color temperature of thelight source towards the first and second color temperatures,respectively.

The toggle actuator 210, the intensity adjustment actuator 212, and thecolor adjustment actuator 214 may be configured to enhance the usabilityof the user interface 200. Actuators that are in greater demand (e.g.,which are used more often and/or require quick/easy access) may be mademore prominent on the user interface and/or easier to actuate by theuser. For example, priority in terms of size, placement, durability,and/or smartness of an actuation mechanism may be given to the toggleactuator 210 (e.g., for switching the light source on/off), followed bythe intensity adjustment actuator 212, and then the color adjustmentactuator 214. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the toggle actuator 210may have a rectangular shape, which may be the biggest size among thecontrols, and may be placed in the center of the user interface 200. Theintensity adjustment actuator 212 may be smaller in size than the toggleactuator 210 (e.g., having a smaller area than the toggle actuator 210and having a length that is shorter than a length of the toggle actuator210). The intensity adjustment actuator 212 may occupy a less prominentarea of the user interface than the toggle actuator 210 (e.g., along oneside of the toggle actuator 210). The color adjustment actuator 214 mayhave the smallest size (e.g., having a smaller area than the toggleactuator 210 and having a length that is shorter than a width of thetoggle actuator 210). The color adjustment actuator 214 may have ashorter length than the length of the intensity adjustment actuator 212.The color adjustment actuator 214 may occupy another less prominent areaof the user interface than the toggle actuator 210 and the intensityadjustment actuator 212 (e.g., along the bottom of the toggle actuator210).

As described herein, the intensity adjustment actuator 212 and the coloradjustment actuator 214 may be provided apart and/or orienteddifferently from each other (e.g., to avoid misuse of the actuators).For example, the intensity adjustment actuator 212 may be arranged alonga vertical axis of the bezel 202 (e.g., on the right side of the toggleactuator 210), while the color adjustment actuator 206 may be arrangedalong a horizontal axis of the bezel 202 (e.g., below the toggleactuator 210). Indicia (e.g., text and/or icons) may be affixed (e.g.,engraved in the surface of the bezel 202) next to the actuators toindicate the functional purposes of the actuators.

Either or both of the intensity adjustment actuator 212 and coloradjustment actuator 214 may each include a rocker switch provided on thebezel (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). Actuations of upper and lower portionsof the rocker switch of the intensity adjustment actuator 212 may causethe intensity of the light source to be raised and lowered,respectively, within an intensity range (e.g., from approximately 1% toapproximately 100%). Actuations of side portions of the color adjustmentactuator 214 may cause the color of the light source to be adjustedwithin a color range (e.g., between two color temperatures or across theentire color spectrum).

In addition, either or both of the intensity adjustment actuator 212 andcolor adjustment actuator 214 may include a sliding mechanism (e.g., alinear slider) provided on the bezel 202. Manipulating the slidingmechanism of the intensity adjustment actuator 212 or the coloradjustment actuator 214 may respectively change the intensity or colorof the light source within an intensity range (e.g., from approximately1% to approximately 100%) or a color range (e.g., the entire colorspectrum).

Further, either or both of the intensity adjustment actuator 212 and/orthe color adjustment actuator 214 may include a touch sensitive actuator(e.g., including a resistive or capacitive touch element) that may beresponsive to a user's touch and capable of translating the touch into acontrol signal for setting the intensity and/or color of the lightsource. The touch sensitive actuator may include a plurality of forceconcentrators for actuating a resistive touch element. When a userapplies a force on the resistive touch element (e.g., by pressing afinger against or moving a finger along the touch sensitive actuator),the force from the touch may be sensed and transmitted (e.g., by aninput circuit such as the input circuit 135) to a control circuit (e.g.,such as the control circuit 135) of the load control device. The controlcircuit may translate the input signal into an intensity or colorcontrol signal, which may be used to drive the connected light sourcewithin an intensity range (e.g., from approximately 1% to approximately100%) or a color range (e.g., the entire color spectrum). An example ofa load control device comprising a thin touch sensitive actuator isdescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.7,791,595, issued Sep. 7, 2010, entitled TOUCH SCREEN ASSEMBLY FOR ALIGHTING CONTROL, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

The example user interface 200 may include a visual display (e.g., alinear array of visual indicators 216 as shown in FIG. 2). The visualindicators 216 may operate as a feedback mechanism through which a usermay learn about of an operational state of the connected light source,such as the on/off state, the intensity, and/or the color (e.g., thecolor temperature) of the light source. The visual indicators 216 may beilluminated by one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in alinear array and mounted behind the bezel 202, for example. The visualindicators 216 may be illuminated when the light of the LEDs is emittedthrough a series of small openings in the bezel 202. The number of LEDsthat are illuminated may increase or decrease in accordance with thepresent intensity level of the light source (e.g., more illuminated LEDsmay indicate higher light intensity). The color of the LEDs may bechanged to reflect the color of the light source. As such, a user may beinformed about the type of control presently being adjusted (e.g.,intensity control or color control) and/or the amount of control (e.g.,intensity or color) presently being applied to the light source.

The visual display may comprise a light bar (not shown). A portion orthe entirety of the light bar may be illuminated (e.g., by one or moreLEDs), and the length of the illuminated portion may provide anindication of the current intensity level of the light source. In someexamples, when the toggle actuator 210 is actuated to turn the lightsource on, the light bar may be illuminated to quickly increase thelength of the illuminated portion of the light bar to correspond to apreviously selected intensity of the light source (e.g., the intensityof the light source before it was turned off, which may be stored inmemory). When the toggle actuator 210 is actuated to turn the lightsource off, the length of the illuminated portion of the light bar maybe decreased quickly to reflect the fact that the light source is beingturned off. Instead of or in addition to changing the length of theilluminated portion of the light bar, the intensity of the light bar maybe varied (e.g., as a function of the intensity of the light source) toreflect the intensity of the light source. The color of the illuminatedportion may also be varied, e.g., to show the color of the light source.In some cases, the light bar may be provided on the intensity actuatorand/or the color actuator. One or more aspects of the aforementionedfeedback mechanism may be applied to all of the example user interfacesdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an example user interface 300 comprising atoggle actuator 310, an elongated vertically-arranged actuator, such asan intensity adjustment actuator 312, and/or an elongatedhorizontally-arranged actuator, such as a color adjustment actuator 314.Any or all of the actuators 310, 312, 314 may be a touch sensitiveactuator (e.g., including a resistive or capacitive touch elementdescribed herein). The intensity adjustment actuator 312 and the coloradjustment actuator 314 may be provided on portions of a bezel 302 thatmay extend through respective openings 306, 308 in a faceplate 304. Theintensity adjustment actuator 312 may be longer than the coloradjustment actuator 314, and may occupy a more prominent location of thefaceplate 304 than the color adjustment actuator 314, for example tomake the intensity control function of the user interface 300 moreconspicuous and/or easier to access. For example, the intensityadjustment actuator 312 may be aligned with the first opening 306, whichmay be elongated and arranged vertically (e.g., along a vertical axis ofthe faceplate 308) in the center of the faceplate 304, while the coloradjustment actuator 314 may be aligned with the second opening, whichmay be elongated (but shorter) and arranged horizontally (e.g., along ahorizontal axis of the faceplate 308) towards the bottom of thefaceplate 304.

The intensity adjustment actuator 312 and color adjustment actuator 314may be actuated to adjust the intensity or color (e.g., colortemperature) of a connected light source, as described herein. Thetoggle actuator 310 may serve a number of purposes. For example,pressing the toggle actuator 310 may turn off the light source, or turnon the light source to a previously set intensity level (e.g., theintensity level of the light source before it was turned off). Visualfeedback (e.g., such as the light bar described herein) may be provided(e.g., on the intensity adjustment actuator 312 and/or the coloradjustment actuator 314) to indicate the intensity and/or color of thelight source. The toggle actuator 310 may be illuminated (e.g., todifferent intensity and/or colors to indicate whether the light sourceis on or off.

FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a right side view of an exampleuser interface 400 comprising an elongated vertically-arranged actuator,such as an intensity adjustment slider 410 and an elongatedhorizontally-arranged actuator, such as a color adjustment slider 420.The intensity adjustment slider 410 may comprise an intensity sliderknob 412 provided in an intensity slider slot 414, while the coloradjustment slider 420 may comprise a color slider knob 422 provided in acolor slider slot 424. The intensity slider knob 412 may be configuredto slide along the intensity slider slot 414 in, for example, a verticaldirection, and the color slider knob 422 may be configured to slidealong the color slider slot 424 in, for example, a horizontal direction.The intensity slider slot 414 and the color slider slot 424 may bealigned with respective openings 404, 406 in a faceplate 402. Inaddition, the intensity slider slot 414 and the color slider slot 424may be located adjacent (e.g., immediately adjacent) to each otherwithin a single opening of a faceplate. The dimensions of the intensityadjustment slider 410 (e.g., the intensity slider knob 412 and theintensity slider slot 414) may be bigger than those of the coloradjustment slider 420 (e.g., the color slider knob 422 and coloradjustment slider slot 424) in order to make the intensity controlfunction of the user interface 400 more conspicuous and/or easier toaccess than the color control function, for example. The intensityadjustment slider 410 (e.g., the intensity slider slot 424) may occupy amore prominent position on the faceplate 402 (e.g., the center of thefaceplate) than the color adjustment slider 420 (e.g., the color sliderslot 424), which may be located below the intensity slider slot 424.

The intensity slider knob 412 and color slider knob 422 may slide alongthe intensity slider slot 414 and color slider slot 424, to set theintensity or color (e.g., color temperature) of a connected lightsource, respectively. For example, the intensity of the light source maybe raised in response to upward movements of the intensity slider knob412 and lowered in response to downward movements of the intensityslider knob 412. Sliding the intensity adjustment slider 402 all the wayto one end of the intensity slider slot 406 (e.g., to the bottom of theintensity slider slot) may turn off the connected light source. Inaddition, the color temperature of the light source may be adjustedtowards a first color temperature (e.g., a red-white color temperature)in response to movements of the color slider knob 422 in a firsthorizontal direction (e.g., to the left) and towards a second colortemperature (e.g., a blue-white color temperature) in response tomovements of the color slider knob 422 in a second horizontal direction(e.g., to the right).

The position of the intensity slider knob 412 in the intensity sliderslot 414 may provide a visual indication of the intensity of the lightsource. The position of the color slider knob 422 in the color sliderslot 424 may provide a visual indication of the color (e.g., colortemperature) of the light source. In addition, visual feedback may beprovided by illuminating one or more visual indicators (e.g., such asthe visual indicators 216) to indicate the intensity and/or color of thelight source.

FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG. 5B is a right side view of an exampleuser interface 500 comprising an elongated vertically-arranged actuator,such as an intensity adjustment slider 510, and an elongatedhorizontally-arranged actuator, such as a color adjustment slider 520,that is provided on the intensity adjustment slider 510. The intensityadjustment slider 510 may comprise an intensity slider knob 512 that maybe confined inside an intensity slider slot 514 (e.g., which may bealigned with an opening 504 in a faceplate 502), and may slide along theintensity slider slot 514, for example in a vertical direction. Thecolor adjustment slider 520 may comprise a color slider knob 522 thatmay be confined inside a color slider slot 524, both of which may beprovided on a front surface 516 of the intensity slider knob 512 of theintensity adjustment slider 510 (e.g., the color adjustment slider 520may be located within the boundaries of the intensity adjustment slider510). The color slider knob 522 may slide along the color slider slot524, for example in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movementof the intensity slider knob 512 (e.g., in a horizontal direction). Assuch, the intensity slider knob 512 of the intensity adjustment slider510 may be more conspicuous and/or easier to access than the colorslider knob 522 of the color adjustment slider 520. In place of or inaddition to a slider, the elongated horizontally-arranged actuator maycomprise a lever that may pivot about an axis to allow the level to movein the horizontal direction to allow for adjustment of the color (e.g.,the color temperature) of the light source.

As the user slides the intensity slider knob 512 or the color sliderknob 522 along the intensity slider slot 514 or the color slider slot524, respectively, the intensity or color (e.g., color temperature) of aconnected light source may be adjusted accordingly. For example, theintensity of the light source may be raised in response to upwardmovements of the intensity slider knob 512 and lowered in response todownward movements of the intensity slider knob 512. The user may slidethe intensity slider knob 512 all the way to one end of the intensityslider slot 514 (e.g., to the bottom of the intensity slider slot) toturn off the connected light source. In addition, the color temperatureof the light source may be adjusted towards a first color temperature(e.g., a red-white color temperature) in response to movements of thecolor slider knob 522 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., to theleft) and towards a second color temperature (e.g., a blue-white colortemperature) in response to movements of the color slider knob 522 in asecond horizontal direction (e.g., to the right).

The position of the intensity slider knob 512 in the intensity sliderslot 514 may provide a visual indication of the intensity of the lightsource. The position of the color slider knob 522 in the color sliderslot 524 may provide a visual indication of the color (e.g., colortemperature) of the light source. In addition, visual feedback may beprovided by illuminating one or more visual indicators (e.g., such asthe visual indicators 210) to indicate the intensity and/or color of thelight source.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view and FIG. 6B is a front view of an exampleuser interface 600 comprising a slider knob 610 (e.g., a rotating sliderknob) for controlling the intensity and/or color (e.g., colortemperature) of a light source. The slider knob 610 may be provided on abezel 602 that may extend through an opening 606 in a faceplate 604. Theslider knob 610 may slide along a slider slot 612. The slider knob 610may be connected to an internal potentiometer (not shown) via a shaft(not shown) that may extend through the slider slot 612 (e.g., rotatewith respect to the bezel 602). The slider knob 610 may be configured torotate about the shaft that extends through the slider slot 612. Thelight source may be turned on and off using a toggle button 614.Alternatively or additionally, pushing the slider knob 610 towards thebezel 602 may turn the connected light source on or off. Alternativelyor additionally, the light source may be turned off after its intensityis decreased to a minimum intensity (e.g., in response to moving theslider knob 610 all the way down the slider slot 612).

While the light source is on, a user may slide the slider knob 610 alongthe slider slot 612 to adjust the intensity of the light source and mayrotate the slider knob 610 to adjust the color of the light source.Alternatively or additionally, the user may rotate the slider knob 610to adjust the intensity of the light source and may slide the sliderknob 610 along the slider slot 612 to adjust the color of the lightsource. The slider knob 610 may freely-rotate around the shaft to allowthe user to continuously adjust the intensity and/or color of the lightsource by rotating the slider knob 610. In addition, the slider knob 610may be configured to be held in a plurality of detents to allow theslider knob to hold in different positions so that the intensity and/orcolor of the light source may be adjusted by preset amounts.

Feedback may be provided on the user interface 600 to indicate the typeof control being adjusted and/or amount of control being applied. Theposition of the slider knob 610 along the length of the slider slot 612may represent the intensity of the lighting load. In addition, the userinterface 600 may comprise a visual indicator 616 that may beilluminated (e.g., by one or more LEDs) to different colors and/orintensity to inform the user about the color, intensity, or state (e.g.,on or off) of the light source. The visual indicator 616 may comprise alight pipe (e.g., a translucent light pipe) that may be connected to thetoggle actuator 614 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) and may beilluminated, e.g., by the LEDs. Visual feedback may also be provided inother areas of the user interface 600 (e.g., on the bezel 604 or thefaceplate 606) to indicate the intensity and/or color of the lightsource.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views of another example user interface 700comprising a slider knob 710 (e.g., a rotating slider knob) forcontrolling the intensity and/or color of a light source. The sliderknob 710 may be provided on a bezel 702 that may extend through anopening 706 of a faceplate 704. The slider knob 710 may slide along aslider slot 712. The slider knob 710 may be connected to an internalpotentiometer (not shown) via a shaft (not shown) that may extendthrough the slider slot 712. The slider knob 710 may be configured torotate about the shaft that extends through the slider slot 712 (e.g.,rotate with respect to the bezel 702).

Rotating the slider knob 710 into different angular positions (e.g.,different orientations) may set a control mode of the user interface 700(e.g., between an intensity control mode and a color control mode).Sliding the slider knob 710 along the slider slot 712 may adjust (e.g.,set a specific value for) the intensity or color of the light sourcedepending upon the angular position of the slider knob 710. Indicia(e.g., text and/or icons) may be provided on the slider knob 710 to helpa user orient the slider knob 710 to select the control mode. Forexample, to put the user interface 700 into the intensity control mode,the user may turn the slider knob 710 into a position at which asunburst icon and a circle icon on the slider knob 710 are alignedvertically (e.g., a first angular position). To put the user interface700 into the color control mode, the user may turn the slider knob 710into a position at which two hatched icons (e.g., representing differentcolors) on the slider knob 710 are aligned vertically (e.g., a secondangular position). The slider knob 710 may be configured to be held inthe first and second angular positions by one or more detents. The userinterface 700 may be configured to remain in the previous mode until theslider knob 710 is fully rotated into one of the first or second angularpositions. Depending upon the angular position of the slider knob 710and thus the selected control mode, the position of the slider knob 710along the length of the slider slot 712 may indicate the intensity orcolor to which the light source is being controlled.

Visual feedback may be provided on the bezel 702 or the faceplate 704 toinform a user about the intensity and/or color of the light source.Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the slider knob 710 or theslider slot 712 may be illuminated (e.g., by one or more LEDs) toprovide the feedback. The user interface 700 may further comprise avisual indicator (not shown) for providing the feedback (e.g., such asthe visual indicator 616 of the user interface 600 shown in FIGS. 6A and6B). In addition, the position of the slider knob 710 along the lengthof the slider slot 712 may provide an indication of the intensity orcolor of the light source depending upon the selected control mode.

When the slider knob 710 is rotated to change between the control modes,the intensity or color of the light source may not be immediatelycontrolled to the intensity or color indicated by the position of theslider knob 710 along the length of the slider slot 712 in the newlyselected mode. For example, after a rotation of the slider knob 710, theuser interface 700 may operate in a “demo” mode during which the lightsource may not be controlled according to the position of the sliderknob 710 along the length of the slide slot 712. In the demo mode,visual feedback may be provided on the user interface of thepresently-selected intensity or color. For example, if the slider knob710 is rotated to change from the intensity control mode to the colorcontrol mode, a portion of the user interface may be illuminated toprovide feedback of a presently selected color when in the color controlmode. In addition, movements of the slider knob 710 along the sliderslot 712 may not adjust the intensity or color of the controlled lightsource in the demo mode (e.g., the present intensity and/or color of thelight source may be maintained). During the demo mode, movements of theslider knob 710 may cause the visual feedback provided on the userinterface 700 to be adjusted while the intensity or color of the lightsource may remain constant.

To adjust the intensity or color of the light source after the sliderknob 710 is rotated to change between control modes, the slider 710 maybe pushed in towards the bezel 702 (e.g., momentarily actuated) tochange the user interface to an “active-control” mode. In theactive-control mode, sliding the slider knob 710 along the slider slot712 may adjust the intensity or color of the light source depending uponthe angular position of the slider knob 710.

Sliding the slider knob 710 all the way to the bottom of the slider slot708 may turn off the light source. Pushing the slider knob 710 intowards the bezel 702 may toggle the light source on and off. The userinterface 700 may further comprise a toggle actuator (not shown) fortoggling the light source on and off (e.g., such as the toggle actuator614 of the user interface 600 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B).

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front views of another example user interface 800comprising a slider knob 810 and one or more actuators (e.g., such asone or more buttons 814) located on the slider knob. The slider knob 810may slide along a slider slot 812 that may be provided on a bezel 802and be accessible through an opening 806 in a faceplate 804. The sliderknob 810 may be connected to an internal potentiometer (not shown) via ashaft (not shown) that may extend through the slider slot 812. Theslider knob 810 may be configured to rotate about the shaft that extendsthrough the slider slot 812. When the slider knob 810 is rotated to afirst angular position (e.g., a horizontal orientation as shown in FIG.8A), sliding the slider knob 810 along the slider slot 812 (e.g.,raising and lowering the slider knob 810) may adjust the intensity ofthe connected light source, while pressing the buttons 814 may adjustthe color (e.g., the color temperature) of the light source. When theslider knob 810 is rotated to a second angular position (e.g., avertical orientation as shown in FIG. 8B), sliding the slider knob 810along the slider slot 812 (e.g., raising and lowering the slider knob810) may apply “dim-to-warm” control over a light source. While the userinterface 800 is in the “dim-to-warm” control mode, both the intensityand color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source may becontrolled by the movement of the slider knob 810 along the slider slot812 according to a “dim-to-warm” dimming curve. While in the“dim-to-warm” control mode, the one or more buttons 814 may betemporarily disabled from controlling the color or intensity of thelight source. The slider knob 810 may be configured to be held in thefirst and second angular positions by one or more detents.

Visual feedback/indication may be provided on the bezel 802 or thefaceplate 804 to inform a user about the intensity and/or color of thelight source. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the sliderknob 810 or the slider slot 812 may be illuminated (e.g., by one or moreLEDs) to provide the feedback. The user interface 800 may furthercomprise a visual indicator (not shown) for providing the feedback(e.g., such as the visual indicator 616 of the user interface 600 shownin FIGS. 6A and 6B).

FIG. 9 shows a front view of another example user interface 900 in whichtwo sets of controls may be used to adjust the intensity and color of aconnected light source separately. A first set of controls may include atoggle actuator 902 and an intensity adjustment actuator 904 (e.g., aslide dimmer). Either or both of the toggle actuator 902 and intensityadjustment actuator 904 may be provided on a bezel 906, and may extendthrough an opening 908 in a faceplate 910. Pressing the toggle actuator902 may turn the connected light source on or off. When the light sourceis on, the intensity adjustment actuator 904 may be manipulated to setthe intensity of the light source to a specific value within a range(e.g., from approximately 1% to approximately 100%). A second set ofcontrols of the user interface 900 may include one or more actuators(e.g., one or more buttons) for adjusting the color of the light source.For example, a set of buttons 912 may be provided on the bezel 906 andbe accessible to the users through the opening 908 of the faceplate 910.One of the buttons may be used to increase the color temperature of thelight source while another may be used to decrease the color temperatureof the light source. Indicia (e.g., such as text or icons) may beaffixed to the user interface 900 to indicate the functional purposes ofthe controls. Feedback about the intensity and/or color of the lightsource may be provided. For example, the buttons 912 may be illuminatedto reflect the color of the light source as those buttons are actuated.Additionally or alternatively, a visual display 914 (e.g., such as thevisual indicators 216) may be provided on the user interface 900 toindicate the intensity and/or color of the light source.

As described herein, the intensity and color of a light source may beset via a common actuator, which may be configured to operate in anintensity control mode or a color control mode. The color control modemay further comprise a color temperature control mode and ared-green-blue RGB color control mode (e.g., a full color control mode).The control mode of the actuator may be set prior to using the actuatorto select a particular intensity level or color for the light source.FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an example user interface 100 thatincludes an actuator 1002 and a control mode selector 1004. The actuator1002 and control mode selector 1004 may be provided on a bezel (notshown) and be aligned with respective openings in a faceplate 1006. Theactuator 1002 may include a touch sensitive element (e.g., such as aresistive or capacitive touch element), which may be used to set a valuetowards which the intensity level or color of the light source may becontrolled. The control mode selector 1004 may include one or morebuttons for placing the actuator 1002 into various control modes. Thebuttons may be “hard” buttons (e.g., physical buttons) or “soft” buttons(e.g., touch sensitive elements that may emulate the functionality ofphysical buttons). Indicia (e.g., text or icons) may be affixed to thebuttons to indicate the respective control modes associated with thebuttons. For instance, “Brightness” may indicate that the correspondingbutton may be used to activate intensity control, “Control Temp” mayindicate that the corresponding button may be used to activate colortemperature control, “Full Color” may indicate that the correspondingbutton may be used to activate the RGB color control mode (e.g.,selection of colors along a predetermined trajectory of colors using theactuator 1002), and “Warm Dim” may indicate that the correspondingbutton may be used to activate dim-to-warm control (e.g., both theintensity and color of the light source may be controlled via theactuator 1002). The default control mode of the actuator 1002 may be setto “Brightness” or intensity control. As such, the user may manipulatethe actuator 1002 to adjust the intensity of the light source withouthaving to press the “Brightness” button first. For example, the user maypress the actuator 1002 to turn the light source on (e.g., to anintensity level associated with the position of the user's press). Theuser may manipulate the actuator 1002 to turn the light source off(e.g., by swiping a finger down the surface of the actuator 1002).

FIG. 11 shows a front view of an example user interface 1100 thatincludes a mode-selection button 1102 for setting the control mode of anactuator 1104. The mode-selection button 1102 may be a “hard” button(e.g., a physical button) or a “soft” button (e.g., a touch sensitiveelement emulating the functionality of a physical button). A user mayactuate the mode-selection button 1102 (e.g., via a quick tap or click)to switch the control mode of the actuator 1104 among several optionsincluding, for example, “intensity” control, “color” control, and“dim-to-warm” control (e.g., both the intensity and color of the lightsource may be controlled via the actuator 1104) of a light source. Theuser may also use the mode-selection button 1102 to turn the lightsource on and off. For example, the user may press and hold themode-selection button 1102 for a brief period of time (e.g., as opposedto a quick tap or click of the button) to turn off the light source.From an “off” state, the light source may be turned back on (e.g., topreviously set intensity and/or color) when the user presses themode-selection button 1102 again. Upon entering the “on” state, theactuator 1104 may enter the “intensity” control mode by default. An area1108 next to the mode-selection button 1102 may be illuminated to (e.g.,in response to the button being pressed) to indicate the control mode ofthe actuator 1104 (e.g., “intensity,” “color,” or “warm dim” control),or the on/off state (e.g., “ON” or “OFF”) of the light source. Once acontrol mode has been selected, the actuator 1104 may be manipulated toselect a specific value towards which the intensity level and/or colorof the light source may be adjusted. The actuator 1104 may include atouch sensitive element (e.g., such as a capacitive touch element). Asdescribed herein, a user may swipe a finger across the surface of thetouch sensitive element to set a target intensity and/or color for thelight source. Visual feedback/indication (e.g., such as the LED lightbar described herein) may be provided (e.g., on the actuator 1104) toindicate the intensity and/or color of the light source.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of an example user interface 1200 thatutilizes a mode-selection slider 1202 to set the control mode of anactuator 1204. The mode-selection slider 1202 (e.g., a horizontalslider) may be accessible through an opening in a faceplate 1206. Themode-selection slider 1202 may be used to select a control mode for theactuator 1204 from a plurality of options including, for example,“Intensity Control,” “Color Control,” and “Warm Dim Control” (e.g., boththe intensity and color of the light source may be controlled via theactuator 1204). Indicia 1208 (e.g., text or icons) may be provided inthe vicinity of the mode-selection slider 1202 to indicate the availableoptions. The actuator 1204 may comprise a slide actuator or a touchsensitive element (e.g., such as a resistive or capacitive touchelement). The actuator 1204 may be manipulated to set a specific valuetowards which the intensity and/or color of the light source may beadjusted (e.g., as described herein). Visual feedback/indication (e.g.,such as the visual indicators 216) may be provided (e.g., on theactuator 1204 or in another area of the faceplate 1206) to indicate theintensity and/or color of the light source.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example control procedure 1300 that may beexecuted by a control circuit of a control device (e.g., the controlcircuit 135 of the control module 130) to control a lighting load inresponse to inputs received via a user interface (e.g., the userinterface 200 shown in FIG. 2 and/or the user interface 300 shown inFIG. 3). For example, the control circuit may be configured to adjustthe intensity of the lighting load between a minimum intensity level anda maximum intensity level, and adjust the color temperature of thelighting load between a warm-white color temperature and a cool-whitecolor temperature. The control circuit may execute the control procedure1300 in response to an actuation of an actuator of the user interface at1310. If a toggle actuator (e.g., the toggle actuator 210) is beingactuated at 1312 and the lighting load is presently on at 1314, thecontrol circuit may turn off the lighting load at 1316 (e.g., byrendering the controllably conductive device 134 non-conductive). If thetoggle actuator is being actuated at 1312 and the lighting load ispresently off at 1314, the control circuit may turn on the lighting loadat 1318. If an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., the intensityadjustment actuator 212) is being actuated at 1320 and the actuationindicates a raise command at 1322 (e.g., the upper portion of theintensity adjustment actuator 212 is being actuated), the controlcircuit may increase the intensity of the lighting load at 1324. If theintensity adjustment actuator is being actuated at 1320 and theactuation indicates a lower command at 1322 (e.g., the lower portion ofthe intensity adjustment actuator 212 is being actuated), the controlcircuit may decrease the intensity of the lighting load at 1326.

If a color adjustment actuator (e.g., the color adjustment actuator 214)is being actuated at 1328 and the actuation indicates a warmer colortemperature at 1330 (e.g., the left portion of the color adjustmentactuator 214 is being actuated), the control circuit may adjust thecolor temperature of the lighting load towards the warm-white colortemperature at 1332. If the color adjustment actuator is being actuatedat 1328 and the actuation indicates a cooler color temperature at 1330(e.g., the right portion of the color adjustment actuator 214 is beingactuated), the control circuit may adjust the color temperature of thelighting load towards the cool-white color temperature at 1334. Afterthe lighting load has been controlled, the control circuit may controlthe visual indicators to reflect the change sin the intensity and/orcolor temperature of the lighting load at 1336, before the controlprocedure exits.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example control procedure 1400 that may beexecuted by a control circuit of a control device (e.g., the controlcircuit 135 of the control module 130) to control a lighting load inresponse to inputs received via a user interface (e.g., the userinterface 600 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). For example, the user interfacemay comprise a slider knob (e.g., the slider knob 610) that may be slidthrough a slider slot (e.g., the slider slot 612) and may be rotated.The control circuit may execute the control procedure 1400 in responseto actuation of the slider knob at 1410. If the actuation is a slidingmovement of the slider knob through the slider slot at 1412, the controlcircuit may adjust the intensity of the lighting load based on theposition of the slider knob along the length of the slider slot at 1414.If the actuation is rotation of the slider knob at 1416, the controlcircuit may adjust the color (e.g., color temperature) of the lightingload based on the angular position of the slider knob at 1418. If theactuation is a continued actuation at 1420, the control circuit maycontinue to adjust the intensity and/or color temperature of thelighting load at 1414 and 1418, respectively. If the actuation iscomplete at 1420, the control procedure 1400 may end.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example control procedure 1500 that may beexecuted by a control circuit of a control device (e.g., the controlcircuit 135 of the control module 130) to control a lighting load inresponse to inputs received via a user interface (e.g., the userinterface 700 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). For example, the user interfacemay comprise a slider knob (e.g., the slider knob 710) that may be slidthrough a slider slot (e.g., the slider slot 712) and may be rotated.The control circuit may execute the control procedure 1500 in responseto actuation of the slider knob at 1510. If the actuation is rotation ofthe slider knob at 1512, the control circuit may adjust a control modeat 1514, for example, between an intensity control mode and a colorcontrol mode based on the angular position of the slider knob. If theactuation is sliding movement of the slider knob through the slider slotat 1516, the control circuit may update visual feedback provided by theuser interface at 1518, for example, to provide visual feedback of theintensity and/or color temperature of the lighting load based on theposition of the slider knob along the length of the slider slot. If theslider knob has been pushed in (e.g., momentarily actuated) at leastonce since the control mode was last changed at 1520 and the intensitycontrol mode is selected at 1522 (e.g., the slider knob is rotated asshown in FIG. 7A), the control circuit may adjust the intensity of thelighting load based on the position of the slider knob along the lengthof the slider slot at 1524. If the slider knob has been pushed in atleast once since the control mode was last changed at 1520 and the colorcontrol mode is selected at 1522 (e.g., the slider knob is rotated asshown in FIG. 7B and the intensity control mode is not selected), thecontrol circuit may adjust the color temperature of the lighting loadbased on the position of the slider knob along the length of the sliderslot at 1526. If the slider knob has not been pushed in at least oncesince the control mode was last changed at 1520, the control circuit maynot adjust the intensity and/or color temperature of the lighting loadbased on the position of the slider knob along the length of the sliderslot (e.g., may operate in a demo mode in which the present intensityand/or color temperature of the lighting load may be maintained). If theactuation is a continued actuation at 1528, the control procedure 1500may loop around to process the actuation of the slider knob again. Ifthe actuation is complete at 1528, the control procedure 1500 may end.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts of example control procedures 1600,1630 that may be executed by a control circuit of a control device(e.g., the control circuit 135 of the control module 130) to control alighting load in response to inputs received via a user interface (e.g.,the user interface 800 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B). For example, the userinterface may comprise a slider knob (e.g., the slider knob 810) thatmay be slid through a slider slot (e.g., the slider slot 812) and may berotated, and one or more buttons (e.g., buttons 814). The controlcircuit may be configured to adjust the intensity of the lighting loadbetween a minimum intensity level and a maximum intensity level, andadjust the color temperature of the lighting load between a warm-whitecolor temperature and a cool-white color temperature.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the control circuit may execute the first controlprocedure 1600 in response to actuation of the slider knob at 1610. Ifthe actuation is rotation of the slider knob at 1612, the controlcircuit may adjust a control mode at 1614, for example, between firstand second modes based on the angular position of the slider knob. Ifthe actuation is sliding movement of the slider knob through the sliderslot at 1616 and the first mode is selected at 1618 (e.g., the sliderknob is rotated as shown in FIG. 8A), the control circuit may adjust theintensity of the lighting load based on the position of the slider knobalong the length of the slider slot at 1620. If the actuation is slidingmovement of the slider knob through the slider slot at 1616 and thesecond mode is selected at 1618 (e.g., the slider knob is rotated asshown in FIG. 8B), the control circuit may adjust both the intensity andthe color temperature of the lighting load based on a dim-to-warmdimming curve and the position of the slider knob along the length ofthe slider slot at 1622. If the actuation is a continued actuation at1624, the first control procedure 1600 may loop around to process theactuation of the slider knob again. If the actuation is complete at1624, the first control procedure 1600 may end.

Turning to FIG. 16B, the control circuit may execute the second controlprocedure 1630 in response to an actuation of one of the buttons at1640. If the first mode is selected at 1642 and one of buttons wasactuated to adjust the color temperature to be warmer (e.g., a“warm-white” button or a “warmer” button was actuated) at 1644, thecontrol circuit may adjust the color temperature of the lighting loadtowards the warm-white color temperature at 1646. If one of buttons wasactuated to adjust the color temperature to be cooler (e.g., a“cool-white” button or a “cooler” button was actuated) at 1648, thecontrol circuit may adjust the color temperature of the lighting loadtowards the cool-white color temperature at 1650. If the actuation is acontinued actuation at 1652, the control circuit adjust the colortemperature again at 1646 and 1650. If the actuation is complete at1652, the second control procedure 1630 may end. If the first mode isnot selected at 1642, the second control procedure 1630 may end withoutadjusting the color temperature of the lighting load.

Although the examples provided herein are described with reference toone or more light sources, the examples may be applied to otherelectrical loads. For example, one or more of the embodiments describedherein may be used to control a variety of electrical load types, suchas, for example, a motorized window treatment or a projection screen, amotorized interior or exterior shutters, a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system, an air conditioner, a compressor, a humiditycontrol unit, a dehumidifier, a water heater, a pool pump, arefrigerator, a freezer, a television or computer monitor, a powersupply, an audio system or amplifier, a generator, an electric charger,such as an electric vehicle charger, and an alternative energycontroller (e.g., a solar, wind, or thermal energy controller). A singlecontrol circuit may be coupled to and/or adapted to control multipletypes of electrical loads in a load control system.

1. A lighting load control apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; controlcircuitry; a first actuator extending through the faceplate to provide afirst input signal to the control circuitry, the first input signal tocause the control circuitry to cause a transition the lighting loadbetween an ON operating state and an OFF operating state; a secondactuator extending through the faceplate to provide a second inputsignal to the control circuitry, the second input signal to cause thecontrol circuitry to cause a reversible, continuous, variation in theintensity of the illumination provided by the lighting load inproportion to an input provided to the second actuator; and a thirdactuator extending through the faceplate to provide a third input signalto the control circuitry, the third input signal to cause the controlcircuitry to cause a reversible, continuous, variation in the colortemperature of the illumination provided by the lighting load inproportion to an input provided to the third actuator.
 2. The lightingload control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first actuator comprises atoggle switch that extends through a first bezel.
 3. The lighting loadcontrol apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second actuator comprises afirst slider slot and first slider that extends through a second bezel.4. The lighting load control apparatus of claim 3 wherein the thirdactuator comprises a second slider slot and second slider that extendsthrough a third bezel.
 5. The lighting load of claim 4 wherein the thirdbezel is formed orthogonal to the second bezel.
 6. The lighting load ofclaim 4 wherein at least one of the first actuator, the second actuator,or the third actuator comprises a touch sensitive surface.
 7. Thelighting load of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators,the plurality of indicators illuminated in proportion to the inputprovided to the second actuator.
 8. The lighting load of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of indicators, the plurality ofindicators illuminated in proportion to the input provided by the thirdactuator.
 9. The lighting load control apparatus of claim 1 wherein thefirst actuator comprises a first slidable portion of a first sliderswitch that extends through a first bezel.
 10. The lighting load controlapparatus of claim 9 wherein the second actuator comprises a secondslidable portion of the first slider switch that extends through thefirst bezel.
 11. The lighting load control apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe third actuator comprises a slider carried piggyback by the firstslider switch.
 12. The lighting load control apparatus of claim 3wherein the third actuator comprises a rotatable knob that forms atleast a portion of the first slider.
 13. A lighting load controlapparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a first bezel; a slider slot formedin the first bezel, the slider slot including: a first slot portion toprovide a binary input signal to the control circuitry, the binary inputsignal to cause the control circuitry to cause a transition the lightingload between an ON operating state and an OFF operating state; and asecond slot portion to provide a variable input signal to the controlcircuitry; a rotatable slider knob, the rotatable slider knobselectively rotatable between a first position and a second position;wherein, responsive to detection of the rotatable slider knob in thefirst position, the variable input signal to cause the control circuitryto selectively cause a reversible, continuous, variation in theintensity of the illumination provided by the lighting load inproportion to an position of the rotatable slider knob in the secondslot portion of the slider slot; and wherein, responsive to detection ofthe rotatable slider knob in the second position, the variable inputsignal to cause the control circuitry to selectively cause a reversible,continuous, variation in the color temperature of the illuminationprovided by the lighting load in proportion to a position of therotatable slider knob in the second slot portion of the slider slot.